High School Equivalency (HSE) recipients and English as a Second Language (ESL) students honored at SCC's Adult Education and Literacy Student Recognition Ceremony

Published: 06/11/2015

It took everything falling apart in his life for Berry to resolve to make a change. “I decided I would go back (to school) and make things right this time,” he said.

On Wednesday, June 10, Berry was honored with 83 other students during a recognition ceremony for the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program at SCC. Some 56 students were recognized for receiving their High School Equivalency credential.

“It is worth it to see how proud my great-grandmother and mother are,” said Berry. “It’s not about what you have, but the struggle you went through to obtain what you wanted.”

As for Berry’s future, the door is wide open. “I think I would like to be a biologist. Animals intrigue me – everything from migrating patterns to behavior,” he said. “I’m specifically interested in marine biology, but I’ve never seen the ocean. This career would help me with both.”

Twenty-seven students were acknowledged for their achievement, improvement and attendance in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Three students were honored for becoming U.S. citizens including Olena Downey from Ukraine, Alfredo Otarola from Uruguay and Delfino Chica from Mexico.

During the 2014-15 school year, 114 SCC students received their HSE credentials and 370 SCC students from 55 countries took part in the ESL program.

The Adult Education and Literacy program at St. Charles Community College teaches basic reading, math and writing skills to prepare people to take the HiSET (formerly GED) tests and to assist non-native speakers in gaining English proficiency. The program offers free day and evening classes in four counties; St. Charles, Warren, Lincoln and Pike.

Learn more about the HiSET at hiset.ets.org.  For more information about the AEL program at SCC, call 636-922-8411.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit stchas.edu.